Hospital, Foundation aims to remove the stigma of depression

Oconomowoc, Wis. – Suzy Favor Hamilton, three-time Olympic track athlete from Madison, Wis., will speak at the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 2009 Celebrate the Light Gala on Nov. 14 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

It was the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia when Hamilton’s life came to a screeching halt as she pretended to pass out after several runners passed her during the last 200 meters of the 1,500-meter race. Suzy was expected to bring home a gold medal, but instead she brought home an awareness of how deeply her depression had consumed her life. Once at home, she was able to take hold of her battle with depression and find happiness off the track. She will share her inspiring story with guests of the Gala and help raise awareness of this debilitating disease.

Suzy’s story made international news, but the effects of depression also hit close to home. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 9.5% American adults suffer from a depressive illness, with women experiencing depression about twice as often as men. In fact, a study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that, if current trends persist, depression will cause more human disability and early deaths by 2020 than war, cancer, traffic accidents and AIDS combined.

Each year, the Celebrate the Light Gala helps raise funds to provide hope, help and healing to those suffering from mental illness such as depression. The 2009 Celebrate the Light Gala will be held on November 14, 2009 at the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee. This event includes valet parking, cocktail reception, dinner, auction, program, and presentation of the “Spirit of Giving” award.

Tickets are $200 each and can be purchased by contacting the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation at 262-646-1646 or online at www.rogershospital.org/gala.
All proceeds from this event support the patients and programs of Rogers Memorial Hospital.

[Download this release as a PDF]

Additional Links:

• Foundation Gala 2009 Web site
• Online Registration
• Suzy Favor Hamiltion’s Web site